Tokyo Tower

The hearts of many arriving at the scene of the power outage source pulsated with life, as if halted in stasis for eons. Anxiety overwhelmed the coming masses of soldiers, feeling swallowed by a blackness they could not describe without their seemingly fearless, roaring vanguard to lead them. Even so, they could not- nay, they would not allow life to end after the sacrifice of many already. With a new commander in tow, the Resistance marched, forcing down their troubled voices. And... much to their chagrin, the "Devil" was here, standing with her new ally.

That "God of Death", Harbinger the armored Reaper overlord grinned madly, despite her casted arm being proof of her pain. It was a symbol of hope for the opposition that saw it: the invincible foe could be hurt. Yet, despite that fact, her unwavering smile never faded from her human form.

"Good day morons and scrubs!" the busty redhead sneered, jerking her head up in response to the bustling activity of the new war hotspot. Bashiro, Aoi, and others continued to swarm in. The gathering army instilled no fear in the immortal eldritch's black heart, while her very presence caused fright and unbridled anger. "I hope you're all still doing well after your short respite."

Respite of what, grieving?

"Allow me to introduce you to my new best friend." Harbinger continued, motioning to her new toy by swaying a hip her way. Bashiro and others gulped nervously, still attracted to the voluptuous she-demon, despite knowing the truth of her true armored centipede form. That aside, the android ceased its electronic attack on Tokyo Tower, pulling back and walking next to her owner, facing the legion of heroes stoically. "Previously, your best hope of winning."

"... Wait-" Bashiro didn't quite understand the taunt, and squinted his eyes toward the blade winged drone standing by. The empty eyes... the aura of power, like an ocean at the ground... Being the lecherous pig of a man he was, he even noticed the similarity of figures between that woman and- "... B-Boss?!"

The revelation was beginning to hit, and those who realized it gasped in horror.

"That's right, losers! I took your ace: the Chosen Shitstain and turned her into my doll!"

Nemesis remained silent, and those others who accepted Harbinger's ideal to wipe away all life began to approach.

The frozen time is thawed out, moving once more with the cruelty of reality born by the outer god's lust for torment and despair. War is to be renewed one more time.

It was a strangely solitary run despite leaving with the others. Okuri's body did nothing more than simply carry itself forward. There wasn't time to think or feel much of anything else. They just had to keep going. The approaching battle might have filled him with dread, he might have mourned more the loss of friends, or even felt some small glimmer of hope from those still alive but for now all he do was run. Anything else was too much to try and process. He would have to stop entirely to even attempt to think about it all again. It was strange especially given how likely it was they were all running off to their own deaths. Perhaps the appropriate fear would set in as they approached.

Upon reaching the tower Harbinger herself stood before them. And though she was injured the spirit knew that was a miracle they wouldn't be repeating. She was with someone else who seemed strangely familiar and yet unknown at the same time. A sense of dread finally set in as Harbinger mocked the group and introduced her new tool: a mindless and lifeless feeling Hikari somehow restored to life. Realizing Harbinger had the power to restore those she destroyed to existence, Okuri scanned the immediate area in a bit of panic desperately seeking for some sign of... of course not. He wasn't there. Jessie wasn't anything important to this monster there'd be little point in bringing him back.

The more he looked at Hikari the more a deep anger began to build in Okuri. To kill another was unforgivable as it was but to mock the dead in such a way as this there was no way to describe it. And yet this anger was met with incredible frustration as the spirit knew he had no hope of exacting any form of revenge on this monster. Harbinger's other followers appeared to be approaching, battles would soon break out. That much at he least he would be able to help with. More than he ever had in some time Okuri felt a sort of feral urge in him. There was nothing to say. This was truly a time to kill or die. All he could do was growl as he stared down the enemies before them. Great Nature readied themselves knowing soon they would be called upon. How this battle would end they could only guess.

Riko arrived at tue tower and saw Harbinger and heard its words. upon seeinf the person along sifenbl her frowned at the familiar looking person. He had a feeling that the girl wa inportant in someway and looked to the others to see thier reaction. His clan ready for the battle and Riko made a silent vow then that he would do everything he could to help and protect the allies.

Darren, being in earshot as all of this was said, giving a glare of death at each of the Reapers. It seemed untrue, unreal... however he understood the power of the Akashic Records enough to understand that this was within their power. Yukino was rewritten in history to be one of them, the real Yukino was among them.

What are we gonna do about that? Daikaiser said in a grim tone.

He started to walk forward, his two Dimensional Robos nodded to one another as they walked with him. They didn't know what he was going to do to one he saw as an older sister, but now was when it was going to be found out. His eyes flashed and became purple with the power of the controlled Seed still inside of him. This power caused an aura to emanate from his body. Of course the Reapers would barely care, even though it was likely the most power anyone was outputting at the moment.

He pointed out to them and said "Hey, red bimbo! Anyone you put in our way is being taken down like all the others! If you think grabbing Yukino from time and making her yours is gonna scare us, then you're wrong when it comes to me! Because I know her..."

He knew... she would rather die than help them in anyway. If he needed to, he would give her that death. When the battle was over, the Akashic Records could bring her back due to Chronojet Dragon. One wish and she could be returned. It would be writing history back to how it should be anyway.

Don't hold anything back this time. Use the new power we developed.

No, not yet... I need to understand what I'm up against first, but I'll take her first since I already know this sick tit-monster is gonna put Yuki on the front lines.

Karin took her place nearby Nemesis, leaning against the tower wall. She would shift her eyes from Harbinger, to Nemesis, to the rest of humanity far below her. There she went, showing off her new toy to add yet another layer of despair to the masses- And a single sliver of hope, for the small handful who could find it. "Maybe we can bring Yukino back!" they'd no doubt think, after the initial shock of seeing her like this subsided. But, Karin already knew that was just another thing Harbinger was counting on. There was no way Yukino could be saved so easily. No one (not even Yukino) had managed to pull Karin herself from the Reapers' grasp, and now Yukino stood at Harbinger's side, even more mentally-reprogrammed than Karin.

Everything was as Karin anticipated: Horribly, annoyingly disgusting. She let out a sigh after giving Harbinger a few moments of silence, so she could bask in her sadistic pleasure. "Why not strip for them too? I'm sure they'd be equally grossed out by that."

The figure walked up behind nemesis, taking his position near his teammate and master as he looked at the several individuals that gathered in front of the Tokyo Tower. His eye fixating on a specific one in the crowd, "You have no reason to complain now." he whispered to himself.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Haruto did not understand at all what was happening, there she stood his only guardian after the loss of his remaining family members, his friend and teacher...she stood alongside Harbringer. He could barely stand much less hold the tears that wanted to burst from his eyes as he watched this messed up situation.

"....Why....." he said lightly, as his arms and legs shivered.

"...Calm down Haruto.." Percival tried to seem as normal and supportive as possible, but he could not shake the sadness he felt at the current situation, nor the feeling that something dangerous was emanating from someone up there.
"...You feel that? said Aglovale.
"I don't know what it is but something is not right." he replied.

Cero was flying towards Tokyo Tower, ready to see what the trouble going on was with the electronic devices, even the ones in his facility. He figured it was the Reapers. He was certain it was the Reapers, and he was certain it was a trap. Did he care? No. He was going to walk right into their trap and, as far as he believed, obliterate every molecule of their existences.

When he approached, wreathed in lightning, he saw... Her. Harbinger, and... What in the hell!? Yukino!? Cero's rage amplified, and he shot himself at full speed towards the both of them, aiming to punch both of them. Not to kill them, just to punch them.

"YUKINOOOOOOOOOOOO! HOW DAAAAAAARE YOOOOOOOOOOOUUUU!!!" He screamed at the top of his lungs as he charged, she should've been dead. She was dead, gone, erased, yet there she was on the enemy side. What kind of person dies and then changes side!? This was an insult. Yukino was supposed to be his rival, someone who could rival his power! The fact that she allowed herself to be drafted by the Reapers was an insult to every living being here. He didn't give a damn about 'saving her' or 'returning her to her former self.' All Cero cared about was paying her back for this insult!

Neo walked toward Harbringer and noticed everyone else gathering around. He sensed something was going to happen but couldn't figure out what. Then Neo looked up and noticed it just like everyone else around him

"It cant be.. Its her.." He said

Yukino was back but on the side of evil. Neo still remembers that eventful day when Yukino died and it took a piece of everyone else with her. Now she was back but with the reapers. Neo wondered if he could find the strength to fight one of the very first people that gave him a chance in this world and one of his first friends..

Harbinger gave a mocking grin, snidely watching the opposition in its wrath and terrorized hearts. While Nemesis calmly watched and scanned the battlefield's calm, her master was far more interested in just mindlessly taunting her foes. She's invincible, these mongrels don't have the obnoxious deus ex machina of Exculpate's light anymore, so why even be afraid? Even Karin was disgusted by this outcome, and hearing her disdain only made this all the better. Ultimately, the Docking Deletor had torn the Resistance asunder, snatching away notable, precious allies on top of destroying many others with or without names. Giving a toothy, psychotic smile, the woman held back her laughter only for a moment just to say: "Oh no, please stop trying to get under my skin, I might start caring or something!" Right after that, she burst into a fit of giggles and cackles.

"Alright, listen here you hot slut." Bashiro started, already getting a sort of insulting compliment in for the majority of the men with the same thing in mind. "My brother wasn't good enough for you? Everyone you already fucked up wasn't good enough for you? Now you had to go and take our leader after you yourself kill her?!"

"I didn't kill her, dumbass. I deleted her, all the different."

"How?!"

"Dead souls can watch and wander. They aimlessly drift in the afterlife or watch live unfold. Their bodies remain so they can be honored and properly buried into the dirt, so all remember forever that they were always there. ... I save you all space in graveyards and save them a pointless afterlife. You should be thanking me, useless pissants like your brother don't have the watch the rest of you be devoured by Void!" Harbinger explained the critical difference between death and erasure - one left the spirit intact. The other completely destroyed the soul - it's gone forever lost in time. Clearly, she got on the brawler's nerves, as his blood boiled with a twitching eye and clenched fists. Aoi couldn't speak, gazing at the white-hot fury all around her in the frozen world of her mind. She was terrified of the tension born from the God of Death's reigning terror, like a blanket of despair suffocating everything and everyone around.

"You..." Bashiro couldn't even find an insult that was proper enough, that was good enough for the harlot destroying without a care in the world.

Then there was a roar.

A roar from Cero, that mad buffoon of a hero launching toward the queen and her slave like a bolt of lightning. And in response with godspeed instinct, Nemesis's eyes read "GENERATE: ACE". With an explosion of Void surrounding the Chosen Sword of Void, majestic, white armor formed within. A being clad in familiar armory in a blue bodysuit materialized, cloaked in the empty, malicious force that plagued the war, and now, the Mad Hero's mind. Nemesis gripped for one of the sharp blades that made up her detached wings, and that entity behind her did the same with a legendary sword, both of them synchronized to absolute perfection. The hearts of many quaked, beating harshly with a horrifying shock. The re-purposed tools: Yukino and Blaster Joker reeled their edges back, slashing at the Kaiser upon his arrival in their range, tearing at his torso and skewering him from the sky, batting him away simultaneously with outrageous force. ... Neither of them showed any sort of reaction or feeling toward the attack on what was a former comrade and rival, proof that the "heart" was gone. An empty sword has no sense of "rivalry".

"Cero!!" Bashiro, probably one of the few that truly cares about the isolated Kaiser shouted. Aoi covered her mouth at the sight of the merciless attack.

"Oho, yes. Did I mention I got this guy too?" Harbinger sneered as a Blaster Blade himself, baring black rings about his body levitated with his partner. His face was silhouetted, showing only the madness of his gleaming, red eyes. The Chosen Sword and the Sword of Courage were in the hands of the unstoppable, giggling evil. "The real fun's just beginning."

Nemesis' detached blades spread like wings, gigantic, crimson outlines appearing before all present. Moving her hands about, one would recognize this is a large scale showing of the power of the Meister. And the creations... large tendrils were being given color and shape, as were a multitude of different heads on the other body. Glaring, yellow eyes shined with life as the bodies were being completed. It was the deceased Kraken and Chimera, being resurrected by the very commander who wished to destroy them more than any other. Furthermore, the drones began stepping forward, and notably, Solis was coated in a pillar of flames, his silhouette visible as the vision of two shadows of Dragonic Overlord side by side flashed behind him. Chris herself grinned maliciously as opposed to innocently, the image of The Clown burned into the minds of the Resistance.

And that one--

The Vanguard of Destruction: Sovereign's presence was made known to all with a gust of wind from Karin's direction.

The Reapers roared, the Drones of Hell who obtained power beyond reason signing a deal with the Devil were ready.

The decisive bout of continuing tragedy commences.

At long last, Cero escaped the rubble in a massive burst of lightning, the rocks that covered him now...  Vanishing from existence?  That's what it looked like but...  No, they couldn't have.  He must have simply reduced them to dust.  The Kaiser searched the area, but...  No foe was in sight.  He did, however, see Haruka.  Moping.  Like an angsty little shit.  Cero jumped down from the building that once housed his temporary tomb to the Earth and approached the "Resistance Leader."  He looked around at the hopeless members of this now pitiful resistance, the dog within Haruka's hands now released.  

When the Kaiser's eyes finished scanning the area, a superhuman hand grabbed Haruka's shoulder.  His grip was tight, his fingers threatening to dislocate this "leader's" shoulder from its socket, Cero's eyes filled with disgust and hatred.  This was the man who defeated him?  This?

"You aren't worthy of fighting if this is all you can take. Quit hiding from your own pain! FACE IT! "  As he shouted that final sentence, a ripple of electricity was sent through Haruka, directly into his nervous system.  This was not a pain that could be numbed out, and Cero was not going to just let go of him.  

"WHAT'S IT LIKE!? I'M NOT GOING TO LET YOU RUN FROM PAIN! FACE IT WITH EVERY CELL IN YOUR BODY!!! IF YOU CAN'T HANDLE THIS, THEN DIE RIGHT HERE!"  The Kaiser continued screaming at Haruka, hatred in every word. He wasn't sending a lethal current through Haruka's body, no, this wasn't to kill him. After what seemed like hours (it was only a minute tops), the current stopped and Cero's hand released the so-called leader of the resistance. He stood above the man. Glaring.

-----
Fubuki gave up punching the ice cocoon.  All she was doing now was crying against the frozen surface.  

"Aoi...  Please...  Come back..."

Sakuya sat down next to Fubuki, patting her on the shoulder and offering her a handkerchief. "I take it you're one of Aoi's friends?"

Sakuya placed a hand to the frozen cocoon. "The poor girl... She's had an awful time lately, and she's been trying so hard to make the most of it." She patted Fubuki's shoulder again, giving her a warm smile. "I know things seem pretty bad right now, but I have faith Aoi will come out of her shell in time. Right now, we just need to be strong like her. I'll even sit here with you, if you'd like the company."

Sakuya retracted her other hand from the cocoon's surface, sitting still with this other friend of Aoi's. "My name is Sakuya, I'm also something of a friend to Aoi... When she does come out, would you like to welcome her back together?"

Carlos remained seated on top of a big chunk of debris, analyzing the whole situation - The battle of Tokyo Tower, maybe the greatest battle that he's ever been, was over... But at what cost? Everything went to a literal and not just metaphorical hell in just a matter of minutes. Seconds, maybe.

---

Even though Carlos was fighting of the Reapers at Chronos' side, the Gear Chronicle forces didn't stop attacking the Resistance members. "I have a lot of explaining to do once this fight is over..." He thought, commanding his Thunder Dragon to divert and respond any enemy attacks. "Take this! And this! Keep the good work, Detonics Stinger!". Chronos wasn't paying him any attention at all, but he noticed a different aura surrounding him. A good kind of aura. Maybe it was the good thoughts he had at the moment. "Now that's more like it" He said.

But as the most prominent Gear Dragons of the Gear Chronicle army began and kept their assault on Sovereign and his forces, despite the difference in strenght between the evil leader and the two giant soldiers, they managed to force them to retreat little by little. But suddenly, the black rings binding Chronos began squeezing him harder and harder. The restraint prevented Chronos commanding his Units and deal the final, decisive blow to the Reaper. "Hey, Chronos!" Carlos tried to approach him noticing his pain, but the giant Reaper began release an enormous amount of black nothingness on him. "C-Chronos! Watch out!" He flew towards his friend.

"... GEAR CHRONICLE'S AMBITIONS DO NOT END WITH HIM! THEY END WITH ME!!". After shouting this words, the Agent of Time was slammed by the Void. Chronos was... Gone.

His trusted Unit, Detonics Stinger Dragon, shielded him from what was leaking from the previous attack and sacrificed the integrity of his physical form in order to protect his young master.

---

Carlos took his hand to his face, covering his eyes. "This shit is... This is just not fair..." He said. "Just... Just why? Why?". The young cardfighter then stood up. There was no time to mourn, as he felt the need to check the well-being of his friends. Aoi, Bashiro, Okuri, Haruka... He hasn't heard anything about them in the last few hours. Not counting the numerous soldiers that followed the new leader into battle. There was no problem in delaying the coming wave of sadness that was about to take him as long as he could see some familiar faces and make sure they were in good condition.

Walking through the desolate war zone, he suddenly heard some strange uproar. Following the source of the noise, he arrived just in time to see the cool, awesome and powerful king Cero facing a completely broken Haruka. "IF YOU CAN'T HANDLE THIS, THEN DIE RIGHT HERE!". Oh no, he didn't. Cero could be the coolest cardfighter in the world (in his eyes at least), but talking like that to a man that must be broken inside given the recent revelations wasn't something he just couldn't let pass.

"Hey!" He shouted, approaching the duo. "What's going on here? What the hell do you think you're doing talking to my leader like that!?" He said, shoving the man in defense of his friend.

Fubuki looked towards the person that had just arrived at Aoi's cocoon. After taking the handkerchief, Fubuki turned back to the cocoon, watching as she listened to the words of the girl. Somewhat reluctant, she nodded in response to the offer of company. Running away from people wasn't going to do anything. Hiding from herself wasn't going to do anything. This Sakuya was right. They needed to stay strong, and Fubuki was realizing just how weak of a person she had been.

"My... My name is Fubuki. I would. I know Aoi would like that," Fubuki replied to Sakuya, her tone still cold, but at least she was beginning to respond to people besides Aoi again.

Despite Fubuki's cold and sullen tone, Sakuya kept her smile going. "Thank you."

Though all the fighting had ended for today, the internal war within each of the reincarnated Seeds stung more deeply than any wound could. Sakuya didn't know what Aoi had experienced in her past life as a Seed, but if it had been anything like Sakuya's own, then it would weigh heavily on the girl. Sakuya thought back to her own past life- Her ascension at Tsukuyomi's side, the day she began to purge the planet of all humanity... She had done the Reaper's job for them once before. Completely blinded by a false justice, she wiped out the entirety of humanity itself, and left the world empty. Ever since her memories were awoken, she had felt a number of things concerning them: At times, she hated them, and wished she'd never remembered. Other times, she wanted to run away from it all. And sometimes...

...She felt like she wanted to stop, to give up and sleep and pray not to wake up.

Maybe that was what Aoi was doing now. Letting herself stop after going so far, whether to take a break and recover from the inevitable exhaustion, or to stop entirely and not want to start again. Either way, Sakuya knew Aoi would emerge from her stasis, perhaps even soon.

Many of the seeds had been reincarnated, and Sakuya believed that was significant. For people like them, who clearly had no place in heaven, to be given a second chance at life was the highest act of mercy she could imagine. And to Sakuya, that had to mean something special.

Haruka carefully cradled Okuri, trying to reap the sewn sadness, but all he managed was to close his throat and shut his eyes. Sera appeared on the scene, limping and exhausted, but alive. His scleras were painted red with bloodshot fatigue. The boy looked Haruka up and down as the scene began to disperse. His head tilted over the Commander's shoulder at the cocoon, which Haruka had been mostly ignoring in fear that whatever was inside of it was no longer living either.

The strings of death were pulling his bones like a puppeteer. Sera, however, absolved his free soul and intended to use it in aid of the commander, in aid of his other half.

"Okuri, let's go."

Sera reached out and grasped the large furball, gently wrapping his arms around him from Haruka's own grasp. Sera, unlike Haruka, had a far less affectionate touch. It didn't hold the same sincerity and diluted emotional bond that Haruka's did. They were the same, but so very different. Where Haruka's handshake was the formation of friendship, Sera's was the tactile observation of another person. And as such, this was no different. The way he held Okuri was different, maybe because he wasn't very aware of holding other people or creatures or animals or really anything that wasn't some inanimate object. Though the far more likely reason is his inability to properly process others' empathy without them voicing it. Haruto's rage at him at the shrine was only visible to him once the eyes poured into him and the words ate at him.

Haruka then felt a hand on his shoulder. The grip was light to him, nearly featherweight due to the numbness he was forcing upon himself. His eyes were like broken headlights, drifting slowly over to the voice. At first it was reticent, like breath. Though it was a sudden heat in his body, a current, that got his attention. In fact, Haruka's world seemed to be going through a synesthesiac attack. His jaw dropped slightly, eyes widening. The color of the world dripped a different palette, blood surfacing in his throat but not quite enough to cause immense danger.

The voice screamed, it beckoned, it challenged.

You aren't worthy of fighting if this is all you can take. Quit hiding from your own pain! FACE IT!

Face... it?

He opened his mouth to speak, unable to as the heat rose in his body. The veins on his body were chasms and curvatures suddenly reminiscent of tribal tattoos all across his neck and forearm. He turned over to finally see that face. Perhaps the one he never thought he'd see, doing what it's doing now. Really all Haruka wanted to do was hit the bastard back, or scream and tell him to shut up and go away. But before he even provided a response, Carlos appeared on the scene and gave Cero a good shove.

Haruka, now released from the shocking grip, he felt the iron in his senses dull and his eyes revitalize. His heartbeat was visibly paining him, but the echoing words of Cero were crushing his psyche right now. The gravity field they jarred around him was now eating away at the dissolution of will.

"I..."

Haruka looked at the man, disdain wearing on his face. This mask contorted briefly for the lips to take shape into a phrase that the white-haired commander never imagined he'd tell the guy.

"You're not wrong."

Of course, worded a bit differently, but his message was getting across. Haruka understood that Cero didn't want humanity to end, especially not under the command of someone who had completely lost hope as well. This was perhaps the one person, the one existence that could rival Harbinger or Chronos in Haruka's distaste. And yet, he might be one of the few people who could drive Haruka to push forward to exist. It wasn't because he was any good at giving anything worth a pep talk....

But they shared the same goal. They didn't want humanity to be obliterated. Maybe in the most twisted, different and strange routes of meeting that goal. And yet, they still fought on the same battlefield. They fought for the common goal. Haruka reached far... far far far far down into that cavity in his chest for compassion.

"You... aren't wrong. Don't worry Soldier," he said, referring to Carlos now. "You aren't wrong, Cero."

Haruka spared not another word, but only his glare softening. It turned into a stare, then a diminishing glance. He nodded to Cero, straightening his back. The despair of today's abrupt destruction was not gone, but Cero instilled a little reality into Haruka.






Never thought that would happen.

Aoi, who had been encased by a coffin of ice, opened her eyes, awaking submerged deeply into water. Blinking her eyes for a few moments, it took a minute for her situation to settle in. ... She was underwater!! The China girl's first instinct was to panic over drowning, only to open her mouth and feel no water enter it. She could still breathe through her mouth and nose. She tried to question what was happening, yet, despite air still coming and going from her mouth, words were silenced. Or at least, she couldn't hear her own voice. One or the other. This left the poor lass in a state of confusion, which was furthered by the sights of figures gliding and dashing about, swimming quickly, slowly, gracefully, with purpose or aimless. Unknowingly her vision of the depths of this ocean became clearer and clearer, making the silhouettes out as... mermaids. ... No, Battle Siren mermaids!

Aqua Force? The gumball questioned mentally, noticing one speeding toward her like a bullet. The girl tried to emit an "eep!", still not hearing herself as a blue haired mermaid and a small otter in a sailor suit approached. The mermaid stared curiously at Aoi, who was at a loss, seeing her units underwater. ... Were they her units? ... Yes... yes they were. They were Cyan's units... Instead of putting on a depressed expression for how she felt about her original self, she tentatively waved at the two beings. Said beings looked at one another, then looked toward their visitor. Turning, the duo motioned for Aoi to follow, swimming forward. Wait, huh? I... oh. Aoi couldn't even wrap her head around being able to breathe underwater, so she wondered if swimming was even possible. Though, she seems to be feeling afloat, her feet not touched down or poised as if she stood up. So, with that, she joined those wiggling about their tail fins and such all around.

Aoi's mouth opened in awe, seeing Aqua Force surging about within the cleanest depths of an ocean she had ever witnessed. ... If this was clean, anyway. She'd never actually been deep under the sea before. ... It was then she realized that in her sightseeing, she lost the two units from before. Oh, shoot!! Hey! Hello!! Aoi mentally and vocally called out, but no one responded. Oh, great... The gumball slumped with a comically saddened face, unintentionally floating backwards into something.

Rather, someone.

It was... Genovious!!

Geno! Aoi cried his name, and the Roaring Ripple smiled, thankfully recognizing her... and looking for her. His mouth opened, talking to her, but she heard nothing like she did when Militiades spoke. ... Why wasn't she like others who could speak to their units? She wasn't hopelessly dumb, she noticed people having conversations with their units on the battlefield, but never heard Cray units vocally herself. Luckily, Genovious stretched his hand out with an understanding grin. It was a bit... odd, given his partner recently passed away. How was he happy so quickly? ... Or, had it actually been a long time? Great, now she has no concept of time. Where's Chronos when you need to ask him about time shenanigans? Whatever, she took his hand, and he began guiding her to what seemed to be a temple or ruins of some sort in the distance.

Finally, they came inside, coming out of the water... even though the temple was underwater?

Huh? Aoi questioned physics as she and Genovious came onto a rocky surface, the both of them soaked, which also surprised Aoi since she wasn't sure how the water worked. ... On top of that, her voice still wasn't coming out. She gave a frustrated growl and pouted, only to be pet by her boss unit. Her growl became an upset whine, seeing her dress absolutely drenched, feeling her heavy ponytail that absorbed so much water one would think it was a sponge. Uuu... Aoi cried, at least taking hold of her hair and wringing the water out of it as much as she could.

"We finally got you here." Genovious' voice reached her ears, causing her to jump in shock.

Ah! I can hear you?!

"... It might be only in here, but yeah, it seems like it."

What's going on? Why can't I talk?

"Because you normally can't hear us on Earth, so in response, we shouldn't be able to hear you on Cray."

Oh that doesn't make any sense- Wait, I'm on Cray?!

"Welcome to the Magallanica Ruins, Aoi." Genovious extended his arm backward, drawing her attention to the spectacle of the mystically atmospheric ruins, waterfalls running at many intervals with the inner sanctum-- nay, the entire sanctum just being made up of rock. Here lied the memories of a legendary battle, which heralded the triumphant revival of Aqua Force firsthand. Aoi took a single step, only to feel herself step in... more water. Great, get even wetter. Ugh... the girl took Genovious' offering hand, moving about the sacred grounds located on another planet. There was a mountain of questions to ask, starting with:

Where are we going?

"To speak to your image."

Yep, that didn't make any sense either, as expected.

Eventually, they approached a statue of a divine Tear Dragon, famous to the Naval Forces and Cray in general. One Aoi was more familiar with than anyone else except perhaps Jellal. Memories of the beast alongside her as Cyan and others where it kept trying to communicate with Aoi... The second in command, right behind the current, sealed admiral to Aoi's knowledge. Its form was carved into stone, twin waterfalls running down from its shoulders, allowing them to cascade from the massive stature unto the sea, or further ground in the holy grounds.

"Child of potential", the voice of the Blue Storm Dragon, Maelstrom echoed from the image. "You hear me once more."

Maelstrom... All those times when my head hurt, it was the memory of myself and you trying to...

"We do not have the luxury of time, so I will explain. Your ally, Miltiades... Genovious, I apologize more and more deeply each and every time my voice reasons you. He is dead. ... It is a painful revelation, and one that brings me grief beyond his end. For I contemplated... would he be allowed to choose his fate, would he have rather died a normal death... or been deleted?"

... That... reminds me. Didn't they... erase you?

"Yes. What you are speaking with is your lingering Image. You are like Exculpate, Crimson, and others. You have special abilities. However, you also have something more innocent. Your imagination as a fighter. This image transcends reality, which is how you summoned my future as the Admiral before."

So I'm speaking to my imaginary friend?!

"In a sense, yes."

That's... really weird. So if Militiades ended up like that... This power you're talking about that I don't really get... It'd let me speak to him?

"... Focus, dear child. Your image surpasses the erasure to an extent. With your revived memories and the loss of the Rolling Ripple, Genovious and I decided it was the time to return to you."

I don't follow.

"You are a Vanguard for Blue Storm. As such, we return to you."

With Maelstrom's words, an orchestra of footsteps was heard. The gumball looked all around in the area to see familiar faces to Cyan: Spyros, Rascal Sweeper, Marios, Theta, and more. The faction that was under Haruka... these were deeply trusted navy soldiers directly under the potential Admiral. The small Quintet Wall from before: Icefall Dragon also made its way slowly to the reincarnated Seed. Along with all of them, the Ripple faction came to see their leader as well, invited by Genovious to behold an amazing power beyond a dream. It is when everyone was accounted for, Aoi shined with a blue outline, as did the statue... A spectral body of Maelstrom moved from the stone, leaving all in bewilderment. The dreadnought lost in a coma in this timeline, and erased in another timeline stood before them as a ghost! The dragon specter roared encouragingly, making clear with its arrogance and pride that it was indeed the spirit of glory. "It's him?!" "Impossible..." "No, that cannot be, he fell and was barely active with his weakened body!" "I'm afraid of ghosts, sir..." "Who we gonna call?!" "Our wet vanguard looks interesting when soaked." All kinds of dialogue boomed in response to the behemoth's ghost, who extended a hand to the child of potential.


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The ice cocoon cracked, and then began to fall apart, Aoi's deck case shining a deep, navy blue as her identity was returned. The China girl awoke, nearly choking as she felt air practically blast itself into her lungs, coughing and hacking violently as she fell onto the ground on her back. "Gah!" She cried out, feeling a mix of just... far too much to absorb. Her body being dry in reality as opposed to soaking wet in her dream included. "Ow!"

After being thrown back by Blank, Seifer had slammed into rubble causing him to lose consciousness as he hit his head once again. Slowly opening his eyes, his right immediately stung causing him to shut it. Reaching up, he felt a warm, wet sensation. Pulling his hand back so that he could see, his fingertips were stained with his blood. Glancing around, he could see that the battle had come to a conclusion and he once again was useless overall. So it seemed to him. Struggling to stand up, the brunette felt his legs buckle almost causing him to tumble downwards though he caught himself before collapsing. How had he gotten like this? Well, thinking back on it, it made sense. After fighting Nemesis he was heavily weakened, and then went to confront Blank. Stupid move, but he felt the need to protect Haruto from that shadow of his brother. Speaking of, Seifer looked around for Haruto only to find him missing... Neo as well. He hoped Neo managed to get him away in time. Then his one open eye rested on Haruka, his brother in law. Holding his shoulder, he opted to limp over though all things considered he probably wouldn't be much help. After all, he could only imagine what was going through Haruka's mind considering Yukino's current status. He didn't say a word, couldn't. What could he say in this situation to alleviate the pain?

When Aoi emerged from the cocoon, Fubuki immediately ran forward towards her friend, attempting to catch her, and if she didn't, would raise Aoi's upper body.

"Aoi, Aoi, are you alright!? Aoi!" She shook her friendly, gently, trying to bring the girl from China to her senses.

"What happened? Where did that cocoon come from?"

Sakuya jumped a little at Aoi's sudden emergence, with an audible "Oh my". She helped Aoi sit up straight, checking to make sure she was well on the surface. Everything seemed to be well enough, with Fubuki already questioning the chinese champion. "Fubuki, please, give her a little space. Let her compose herself." Sakuya put her hands on both their shoulders to still them, trying to give Aoi the space she most likely needed.

"Waaaaah..." Aoi whined, being freezing cold from the cocoon AND her dream on top of her back hurting. Her back has been hurting since her little conversation with Bashiro about her doughy mounds, and now, it's hurting worse thanks to the impact with the earth. The poor child just wanted a massage at this point. Sniffling a little pathetically with Fubuki and Sakuya holding up her upper body and seeing Sakuya around she realized... she's still in the frozen wasteland. Argh, so Blue Storms can't block that out either? Probably more of this image mumbo jumbo.

"Where am I?" The China girl inquired, trying to get a grip. "Where did the Reapers go? Or the drones? Or everything, really..."

Sakuya gave Aoi her signature warm smile, glad to see her friend seemed more or less intact. "Most everyone has left already, and the fighting's all stopped. We're still at Tokyo Tower, though there's nothing much happening around us. Aoi, how are you feeling?"

Mirai's silent cry for help went on deaf's ears. Where she and Raiden were located, there was no one in sight. As Mirai laid on the ground, almost unable to get up from her injuries shed a few tears and she closed her eyes and waited for the worst. This... I probably deserve this... Raiden, I'm sorry... but I don't have the strength to help you or to call for help...

She accepted the inevitable and was willing to receive whatever ultimate punishment along with disappearing from this world as a failure. The girl simply... gave up.

Mirai... Mirai don't give up! We are here... we were always here waiting for you to return to us...

A faint voice. Where was it coming from? There was no one in sight. We will lend you our strength, so please, get up and continue fighting... help bring the future that you truly want...

The once-Revenger deck began to glow a white light. A familiar light that once glowed before Mirai was taken by Harbinger. Her Seekers had return and with some extra help. A warm light and what seemed like sparkling dust showered down to Mirai which was beginning to heal her wounds slowly as well as returning her energy to get up and move around. Mirai slowly opened her eyes, her vision slowly returning to her and saw someone tending her wounds. Her hands were together and a warm light glowed from them. The unit Seeker, Loving Healer materialized to heal her master that has returned. "You... you guys are back!" Mirai said with tears running down but out of joy. Her beloved Royal Paladin units returned. With her strength renewing, she managed to sit down as Loving Healer tended her injuries. That was when she turned to look at Raiden and attempted to get up but crippled back down to her knees. "Please, hold still, I haven't fully healed your injuries." The healing Seeker stated. "I'm fine... but he really needs it more... please, please help him out. I'm fine, trust me. I can manage from here." Mirai spoke to her healer and she mustered strength to get up. "If... that is what you wish then I will do what I can! No, he will be healed, you can count on it." Although Loving Healer wasn't fully convinced but her unyielding trust in Mirai allowed her to obey and began to treat Raiden instead. His injuries seem severe so it would probably take a longer time for him to fully recover.

"Thank you." Mirai grateful to her loyal unit and she began to look around. All the destruction caused by the Reapers and partially by her as well. All the Seed felt was guilt. She felt like she truly needs to redeem herself this time. That was when she saw something in the distance. Someone in the ground. Stilling limping a little and holding an arm that was still in pain, she walked towards the figure laying in the ground. As she got closer, she noticed it was Aedan... but... something was not right...

"No..." Memories of her previous life began to flash. Specifically of her brother. The memories of her first time in this timeline also flashed, the memory of her own final moments before disappearing in his arms. Her eyes was red but no tears came out. Unable to shed more tears, her expression was of utter shock and sorrow. Even if she had any, no amount of tears would be enough for what she saw. Falling to her knees, she got closer and picked Aedan's head up and brought him closer to her. If all of what happened haven't broken her already, then this would of definitely do it. "BROOOOTHEEEEEEEEEEEEEERR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Mirai screamed as she held the lifeless person tightly. It was happening all over again. The same way she saw Aedan, no, her brother Seifer from the distance dead now was the same way she found him in her previous life. "Not again.... no God please.... not again!!" This was all my fault! If only... if only.... he wouldn't have to die again... She cursed herself, she blames herself now for what was beyond her control. Loving Healer from the distance felt Mirai's sorrow and continued healing Raiden in silence, an expression of sadness also on the elf's face.

Gently placing her dead brother's head on the ground, she turned around, unable to see anymore. She clenched her fist, silently vowing to help bring an end to it all. Her brother's life won't go in vain once more. Light Saver Dragon materialized behind her, although a weak faded vision of it as if representing Mirai's sorrow that will soon give her strength once more.

The sacred dragon does not fight his enemies with anger, but with the sword of grief.

"All the fighting just... stopped?" Aoi was confused, not answering Sakuya's question while trying to gather her mind. Militiades... has been killed in action, the girl was nearly killed by Sovereign, and Blue Storm had returned to their other Vanguard: Cyan. The gumball was really late to the end of the party if everyone left already. She kind of wanted to talk to Master Haruka about... Nemesis, even though it was kind of a touchy subject. She also wanted to tell him and Master Jellal about her identity, even if it didn't matter that much... A natural instinct in her was to just talk to her masters. And her pen pal, actually. "Hey, where's Bashy-"

A loud screech disrupted the gumball.

It was Mirai crying out for her brother.

Aoi caught Aedan's corpse in her sights, and immediately covered her mouth with a hand, feeling as if she'd puke.

"W-What the hell else happened?!" The China girl asked in a panic, rising to her feet.

Fubuki simply nodded as Sakuya answered Aoi's first questions. She watched her friend carefully, and was ready to answer Aoi's questions when Mirai distracted her. In her tunnel-vision on Aoi's cocoon, Fubuki had missed most of the events that happened around her. Aedan's death, Bashiro's deletion, the breaking of Sovereign's skull. All of it was simply a blur to her. Aoi getting up took Fubuki by surprise for a moment, but she stood up with her friend...

"I... I don't know," all Fubuki could say was the truth.